Closure for a container and utensil therefor

ABSTRACT

A closure for a system that has an opening and an outwardly projecting flange. The closure includes a base for being installed at the system opening and a closing element for occluding the closure. The base has a skirt for attaching the closure to the system, the skirt has a lower end portion for being located adjacent the system flange when the base is installed at the system opening. The skirt lower end portion has (a) a first portion defining (i) an outer side, (ii) an inner side, and (iii) a bottom end, (b) a second portion having (i) a proximal end, and (ii) a distal end, and (c) a connecting portion connecting the first portion bottom end and the second portion proximal end to accommodate initial deflection of the second portion by the system flange toward the first portion inner side during installation of the base on the system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/326,151 filed Jan. 13, 2017, which is a U.S. National Phase ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2015/043906, filed Aug. 6,2015, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 62/034,253, filed Aug. 7, 2014.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a closure for a container and a combinationthereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIORART

There are a variety of types of conventional closures for containers.One type of closure includes a body for being attached to the top of acontainer, The closure, container, and product within the container arereferred to as a “package”. Such a closure can be molded or otherwisemanufactured from a suitable material (e.g., a thermoplastic material).Such a closure typically has a hollow body (which may be alternativelydescribed as the closure base or base portion) that, when installed onthe open end of a container, defines an opening to the containerinterior. Such a closure typically also includes a lid (which may or maynot be hingedly mounted on the closure base) which can be lifted up toexpose the container mouth (i.e., the opening defined by the open end ofthe container). With some such closures, a liner in the form of aremovable membrane is disposed across a lower portion of the closure oracross the container to initially seal the contents (i.e., a product)from the ambient environment.

For some types of products, it can be desirable to provide a closurethat has a base with a relatively large access passage (e.g., opening)normally covered with a hinged lid that can provide access to theproduct (such as fluent products, as well as non-fluent products), andthat, when opened, can accommodate the insertion of a utensil (e.g.,scoop, spoon, knife, ladle, etc.) through the open closure to permit theproduct to be stirred and/or scooped out of the container with theutensil.

Some containers, especially some types of wide mouth metal and compositecontainers, have significant manufacturing tolerances with respect tothe design dimensions of the container open end that defines thecontainer mouth.

Some such containers, especially some types of metal containers, have aopen end that may also have some other type of irregularity that isunintentionally created during manufacturing and/or during subsequentprocessing (e.g., labeling, storage, shipping, etc.) prior to theclosure being installed on the container. For example, during shippingof empty metal containers, one or more of the containers could besubjected to an accidental impact that could create a small irregularity(e.g., a deformation or “dent”) in a portion of the container end aroundthe mouth of the container.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that a containerwhich has an open end with significant manufacturing tolerances and/ordeformations or other irregularities can pose problems with respect toproper installation of a closure, securement of the closure, sealing ofthe closure, etc.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that in someapplications, the use of a non-removable closure is preferred so as toincrease the consumer confidence in the integrity of the package (e.g.,by showing evidence of tampering) and to inhibit counterfeiting of thepackage filled with a substandard product.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that for someapplications using some types of container closures, it may also bedesirable to provide a latch for securing the lid to the closure base.The inventors of the present invention have more particularly determinedthat it may also be desirable in some closure applications to provide animproved lid latch retention feature that increases the openingresistance of the lid latch.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that for sometypes of containers, it may be advantageous to provide a utensil (e.g.,spoon, scoop, knife, ladle, etc.) that can be used to stir and/or removethe product from the container after the container closure is opened.For some containers, the utensil might be advantageously initiallyprovided inside the container or closure, or otherwise provided for usealong with the container. The inventors of the present invention havedetermined that for larger containers requiring a longer utensil, it canbe advantageous to provide a utensil that (1) has a first,self-maintained, “short” configuration which can accommodate shipping,storing, etc., and (2) has a second, self-maintained “long”configuration which can be deployed for removing the product from acontainer.

The inventors of the present invention have also determined that it canbe advantageous to provide a utensil in the form of a scoop that (1) hasa first “storage” configuration wherein the scoop is of reduced heightor depth to accommodate shipping, storing, etc., and (2) has a second“use” configuration of the desired operating height or depth forremoving a product from a container.

The inventors of the present invention have determined that in someapplications it could be advantageous to provide (1) a utensil initiallyattached to the closure inside the closure so that a user can detach theutensil after initially opening the closure, and (2) means forreleasably holding and storing the utensil inside the closure after useso that the utensil can be isolated from the exterior environment butcan be readily available for subsequent use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventors of the present invention have discovered how to provide(1) an improved utensil for stirring a product in, or removing a productfrom, a container, and (2) an improved closure that would e especiallysuitable for a metal container in addition to non-metal containers,wherein the utensil and closure include novel, advantageous features notheretofore taught or contemplated by the prior art.

One aspect of the present invention includes an improved closure for acontainer wherein the closure is especially suitable for metalcontainers, but may be used with non-metallic containers. One form ofsuch an improved closure of the present invention can better accommodatesome manufacturing tolerances and/or other irregularities in the top endportion of a container around the mouth of the container.

One form of an improved closure of the invention can include an improvedlid latch employing a resilient seal member in the closure forincreasing the resistance of the latch to being opened.

One form of the improved closure of the invention can include a utensilinitially carried in the closure.

One form of the improved closure of the invention can include means forreleasably retaining and storing a utensil in the closure lid or baseafter the utensil has been used.

One form of the improved closure of the invention can include acombination of two or more of the above-described features relating to(1) the accommodation of manufacturing tolerances or otherirregularities of a container, (2) a latch, (3) a tamper-evident featurefor a latch, (4) the provision of a utensil initially in the closure,and (5) means for releasably retaining or storing a utensil in theclosure after use,

Another aspect of the invention includes a separate utensil for use witha closure and/or container.

One form of the utensil invention can include a utensil having (1) afirst, self-maintained, “short” configuration that can accommodateshipping, storing, etc., and (2) a second, self-maintained “long”configuration that can be deployed for stirring a product in, orremoving the product from, a container.

Another form of the utensil is a scoop having (1) a “storage”configuration wherein the scoop has a reduced height or depth toaccommodate shipping, storing, etc., and (2) a “use” configuration ofthe desired operating height or depth for removing a product from acontainer.

Another aspect of the invention includes a utensil integral with, orinitially integrally attached to, a closure.

An inventive article of the present invention may include just theclosure alone, just the utensil alone, or the closure and utensiltogether in combination.

The inventive utensil and the inventive closure may each include variousfeatures that are discussed and claimed hereinafter and that may beconsidered to be separate features which may provide utility separatelyapart from other features. Thus, it is contemplated that the inventiveutensil and closure may be designed based on the teachings herein usingany, or a variety of, combinations or permutations of any one or more ofthe separate features without necessarily being in combination with oneor more of the other features. Accordingly, the utensil and closure ofthe present invention, either together or separately, may be claimed asincluding any combination or permutation of any one or more of thefeatures.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention, from the claims, and from the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings forming part of the specification, in whichlike numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from above of a first embodiment of aclosure of the present invention shown in a closed condition installedon a container in which a product may be stored—the closure, container,and product therein together constituting a “package”;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of the package shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, perspective view taken from above the packageshown in FIG. 1, but in FIG. 3 only an upper portion of the package isshown, and a tamper-evident member that is visible in FIG. 1 has beenremoved;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to the perspective view in FIG. 3,but in FIG. 4 the lid of the closure has been moved from a closedposition to an open position allowing access to the container interior,and a utensil (that had been attached to the closure base inside theclosure as shown in FIG. 5 described below, and that has been separatedfrom the closure base) is shown retained in the opened closure lid;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of only the closure shown in FIG. 1, but inFIG. 5 the closure is shown in the initial, as-molded, “open” conditionwherein the lid is open and the utensil is attached at each end to theclosure base with a molded, frangible connection;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional, perspective view of the topportion of the package shown in FIG. 4, but in FIG. 6 the lid (with theutensil, retained therein) is shown closed;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view taken from above of a second embodiment ofa closure of the present invention shown in a closed condition installedon a container in which a product may be stored the closure, container,and product therein together constituting a “package”;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to the perspective view in FIG. 7,but FIG. 8 shows the lid of the closure moved from a closed position toan open position allowing access to the container interior, and FIG. 8also shows a utensil frangibly connected at each end to a base of theclosure in an initially manufactured configuration wherein the closureand utensil are molded together as a unitary article;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view similar to FIG. 8,but FIG. 9 shows the utensil separated from the closure base andretained in the closure lid;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view taken from above of just the closure ofthe package of FIG. 7, the closure shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a right side elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional, side elevation view of the closure takenalong the plane 16-16 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a frontportion of the closure shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane18-18 in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 10, but in FIG. 19 atamper-evident member of the closure has been removed;

FIG. 20 is a right side elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a rear elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional, side elevation view of the closure takenalong the plane 24-24 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a frontportion of the closure shown in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane26-26 in FIG. 22;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 19, but in FIG. 27 theclosure lid has been moved to an open position after the tamper-evidentmember of the closure has been removed;

FIG. 28 is a right side elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a rear elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a bottom plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 27;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane32-32 in FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a frontportion of the closure shown in FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane34-34 in FIG. 30;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 27, but in FIG. 35 theutensil has been separated from the closure base, and the utensil isstored in the closure lid;

FIG. 36 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane37-37 in FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a sideportion of the closure of FIG. 34;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a portionof the closure shown in FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane40-40 in FIG. 36;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a lid ofthe closure shown in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view taken from above of a third embodiment ofa closure of the present invention shown in a closed condition andsubsequently installed on a container in which a product may bestored—the closure, container, and product therein together constitutinga “package”;

FIG. 43 is a fragmentary, perspective view taken from above the closureshown in FIG. 42, but in FIG. 43 only an upper portion of the package isshown, and a tamper-evident member of the closure has been removed;

FIG. 44 is a perspective view similar to the perspective view in FIG.43, but in FIG. 44 the lid of the closure has been moved from a closedposition to an open position allowing access to the container interior,and in FIG. 44 a utensil is shown retained in an aperture of a flexibleseal on the closure base;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of only the closure shown in FIG. 42, andFIG. 45 shows the closure in the as-molded, “open” condition with thelid open prior to the lid being closed and prior to the closed closurebeing installed on a container;

FIG. 46 is a fragmentary, enlarged, cross-sectional, perspective viewtaken generally along the plane 46-46 in FIG. 42 wherein the closure isshown as initially manufactured without an integral utensil providedtherein;

FIG. 47 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional, side elevation view of thebottom portion of a fourth embodiment of a closure of the presentinvention shown installed on a container in which a product may bestored—the closure, container, and product contained therein togetherconstituting a “package”;

FIG. 48 is a fragmentary, perspective view taken from above of a fifthembodiment of a closure of the present invention shown in a closedcondition installed on a container in which a product may be stored—theclosure, container, and product therein together constituting a“package”;

FIG. 49 is a fragmentary, perspective view similar to FIG. 48, but inFIG. 49 a tamper-evident member that is visible in FIG. 48 has beenremoved from the closure;

FIG. 50 is a perspective view taken from above of just the closure ofthe package of FIG. 47, the closure being shown in FIG. 50 in a closedcondition as initially manufactured;

FIG. 51 is a side elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a rear elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 53 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 54 is a bottom plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 50;

FIG. 55 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane55-55 in FIG. 53;

FIG. 56 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a frontportion of the closure shown in FIG. 55;

FIG. 57 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane57-57 in FIG. 53;

FIG. 58 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a rightside portion of the closure of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a left sideportion of the closure shown in FIG. 57;

FIG. 60 is a perspective view taken from above of just the closure ofFIG. 50, but FIG. 60 shows the tamper-evident member removed from theclosure, and FIG. 60 shows a latch member of the lid in an unlatchedposition;

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane61-61 in FIG. 60;

FIG. 62 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a frontportion of the closure shown in FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a perspective similar to FIG. 60, but in FIG. 63 the closureis shown with the lid in the open position;

FIG. 64 is a side elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a rear elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 63;

FIG. 66 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 63;

FIG. 67 is a bottom plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 63;

FIG. 68 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane68-68 in FIG. 66;

FIG. 69 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a frontportion of the closure shown in FIG. 68;

FIG. 70 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane70-70 in FIG. 66;

FIG. 71 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a rightside portion of the closure shown in FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a left sideportion of the closure shown in FIG. 70

FIG. 73 is a perspective view taken from above the closure shown in FIG.50, but in FIG. 73 the closure is shown with the lid in the openposition and with a utensil stored on an extending platform portion ofthe closure body/lid seal;

FIG. 74 is a side elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 73;

FIG. 75 is a rear elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 73;

FIG. 76 is a top plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 73;

FIG. 77 is a bottom plan view of the closure shown in FIG. 73;

FIG. 78 is a cross-sectional, side elevation view of the closure takenalong the plane 78-78 in FIG. 76;

FIG. 79 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a frontportion of the closure shown in FIG. 78;

FIG. 80 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane80-80 in FIG. 76;

FIG. 81 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a rightside portion of the closure shown in FIG. 80;

FIG. 82 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a left sideportion of the closure shown in FIG. 80;

FIG. 83 is a perspective view taken from above another embodiment of autensil that can be used with a closure of the present invention, andFIG. 83 shows the utensil in a “short,” stored, “non-use” configuration;

FIG. 84 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 83, but in FIG. 84 theutensil is shown in a longer, deployed “use” configuration;

FIG. 85 is a side elevation view of the deployed configuration of theutensil shown in FIG. 84.

FIG. 86 is a perspective view taken from above another embodiment of autensil that can be used with a closure of the present invention, andFIG. 86 shows the utensil as initially provided by a manufacturer in a“non-use” configuration connected to a base of a closure that isinstalled on a container and that has a lid in an opened position;

FIG. 87 is a perspective view of only the utensil of FIG. 86, and inFIG. 87 the utensil is shown in a storage, “non-use,” configuration;

FIG. 88 is a perspective view the utensil shown in FIG. 87, and in FIG.88 the utensil is shown in another configuration that is intermediatebetween the storage configuration and a “use” configuration;

FIG. 89 is a perspective view the utensil shown in FIG. 87, and in FIG.89 the utensil is shown in a use configuration;

FIG. 90 is a perspective view taken from above of another embodiment ofa utensil that can be used with a closure of the present invention, andFIG. 90 shows the utensil as initially provided by a manufacturer in a“non-use” configuration and connected to a closure base with the closureshown in an open lid position, and with the closure installed on acontainer to form a package;

FIG. 91 is a perspective view of only the closure and utensil shown inFIG. 90;

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of only the utensil shown in FIG. 90, andin FIG. 92 the utensil is shown in a “non-use” configuration;

FIG. 93 is a perspective of the utensil shown in FIG. 92, and in FIG. 93the utensil is shown in another configuration that is intermediatebetween the “non-use” configuration and a “use” configuration;

FIG. 94 is a perspective view the utensil shown in FIG. 92, and in FIG.94 the utensil is shown in a “use” configuration;

FIG. 95 is a top plan view of the utensil shown in FIG. 92;

FIG. 96 is a front elevation view of the utensil of FIG. 92 wherein the“front” is facing generally toward the viewer in FIG. 92;

FIG. 97 is a cross-sectional view of the utensil taken along the plane97-97 in FIG. 95;

FIG. 98 is a near side (i.e., left side) elevation view of the utensilshown in FIG. 92;

FIG. 99 is a far side (i.e., right side) elevation view of the utensilshown in FIG. 94;

FIG. 100 is a right side elevation view of another embodiment of aclosure according to the present invention, and FIG. 100 shows theclosure in the as-molded, open configuration prior to the closure beinginstalled on a container;

FIG. 101 is a top plan view of the closure of FIG. 100;

FIG. 102 is a cross-sectional view of the closure taken along the plane102-102 in FIG. 101;

FIG. 103 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of a lowerskirt portion of the closure shown in FIG. 102;

FIG. 104 is a fragmentary, right side elevation view of the open closureshown in FIG. 100, shown installed on a container—the closure and thecontainer (and any product therein) together forming a package;

FIG. 105 is a top plan view of the package of FIG. 104;

FIG. 106 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view of the container andopen closure taken along the plane 106-106 in FIG. 105;

FIG. 107 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view of thepackage shown in FIG. 106;

FIG. 108 is a perspective view taken from above of another embodiment ofa closure of the present invention shown in the as-molded, openconfiguration prior to the closure being installed on a container;

FIG. 109 is a top plan view of the closure of FIG. 108;

FIG. 110 is a side elevation view of the closure shown in FIG. 108;

FIG. 111 is a perspective view of the just the utensil shown in FIG.108, and in FIG. 111 the utensil has been removed from the closure androtated toward a “use” configuration; and

FIG. 112 is a perspective view of the just the utensil shown in FIG.108, and in FIG. 111 the utensil has been removed from the closure androtated into a “use” configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose onlyspecific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments so described, however.

For ease of description, the closure of this invention is described in agenerally upright orientation that it could have at the upper end of acontainer when the container is stored upright on its bottom or base. Itwill be understood, however, that the closure of this invention may bemanufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in orientations otherthan those shown.

The closure of this invention and the utensil of this invention aresuitable for use with a variety of conventional or special systems orcontainers having various designs, the details of which, although notillustrated or described, would be apparent to those having skill in theart and an understanding of such containers. With respect to theillustrated embodiments of the closure and utensil invention describedherein, the container, per se, forms no part of, and therefore is notintended to limit, the broadest aspects of the present invention. Itwill also be understood by those of ordinary skill that novel andnon-obvious inventive aspects can be embodied in the described exemplaryclosures alone and exemplary utensils alone.

One embodiment of a closure of the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1-6 where it is designated generally therein by reference number100. This first embodiment of the closure 100 is initially provided as aseparately manufactured article for mounting to the top of a system,such as a container 104.

The container 104 typically has a mouth or opening 108 (FIG. 6) whichprovides access to the container interior where the contents, such as aproduct, may be contained. The product may be, for example, infantformula, mayonnaise, nuts, candies, jelly, margarine, paste, pickles,olives, etc., which can be stirred and/or removed from a container witha utensil, such as a scoop, spoon, ladle, knife, spear, etc. The productmay also be a more highly fluent material that can be poured, as well asremoved with a utensil, such as ground coffee, sugar, or other material,such as liquids, powders, slurries, etc. Such materials may be sold, forexample, as a food product, a personal care product, an industrial orhousehold product, or other substance (e.g., for internal or externaluse by humans or animals, or for use in activities involving medicine,manufacturing, commercial or household maintenance, construction,agriculture, etc.).

The particular illustrated container 104 does not have a reduced sizeupper end, such as a reduced size neck. However, if desired, the upperend of the container 104 may have a neck or other suitable structurethat defines the container mouth 108 and that has a cross-sectionalconfiguration with which the closure 100 is adapted to engage. Below theneck of such a container 104, the body of the container 104 may haveanother cross-sectional configuration that differs from thecross-sectional configuration of the container mouth 108. On the otherhand, as is the case with the illustrated container 104, the container104 may have a substantially uniform shape along its substantially allof its length or height without a neck portion of any significantlyreduced size or significantly different cross-section.

The container 104 may or may not be a squeezable container having aflexible, resilient wall or walls which can be grasped by the user andcompressed somewhat (i.e., temporarily, elastically deformed). However,the illustrated embodiment of the closure 100 is especially suitable foruse with a container 104 having a cylindrical wall that is notnecessarily intended to be temporarily squeezed inwardly by the user.

The closure 100 comprises a base 112 (i.e., a base peripheral wall orother peripheral structure) and a lid 116 (i.e., closing element, top,or cover) joined to the base 112 by a hinge 120 (FIG. 5), In the firstembodiment illustrated, the closure base 112, lid 116, and hinge 120 canbe readily molded together as a unitary structure in an open conditionfrom a suitable thermoplastic material such as polyethylene,polypropylene or the like. Other materials may be employed instead.

The closure base 112 initially holds a utensil 124, such as, in thefirst illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, a scoop, molded unitary withthe closure base 112 in a manner that permits the utensil 124 to besubsequently detached from the base 112 by the user.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, the closure 100 is initiallymolded as a completely separate article that is subsequently attached tothe container 104 after the container 104 has been initially filled witha product. The closure base 112 has a depending, peripheral, outer skirt128 with a conventional, internal bead 132 (FIG. 6) for snap-fitengagement with the bottom of a rim flange 136 on the upper end portionof the container 104 so as to secure the closure base 112 to thecontainer 104. Bead 132 could be segmented instead of continuous (notillustrated). Near the upper end of the container 104, the container 104also has a radially inwardly extending flange 133.

The closure base 112 and container 104, if they have appropriately sizedcircular configurations, could also be releasably connected togetherwith a screw thread system (not shown), a bead and groove system, or byother means. Alternatively, the closure base 112 may be permanentlyattached to the container 104 by means of induction bonding, ultrasonicbonding, gluing, or the like, depending upon the materials employed forthe container 104 and closure base 112.

The closure base 112 may also include additional special or conventionalseal features to provide an enhanced leak-tight seal between the closurebase 112 and the container 104. The illustrated snap-fit closure base112 does not employ such an enhanced seal feature.

With reference to FIG. 5, the closure base 112 has an inwardly extendingflange or rim 140 near the top of the base 112. The base 112 has aninterior wall 144 (FIG. 6) extending downwardly from the rim 140 andadjacent, but spaced inwardly from, the skirt 128. The interior wall 144abuts the container flange 133 and interior surface of the containerbead 136 when the closure base 112 is secured to the container bead 136with the closure bead 132.

The closure base 112 has an opening or access passage 148 (FIG. 5) thatis defined by the rim 140 and that can be covered by the lid 116 whenthe lid 116 is closed. The lid 116 includes a top deck or cover 152(FIG. 5) substantially surrounded by an outer peripheral flange 156(FIG. 5). An inner plug seal flange 157 projects from the underside ofthe deck 152 to sealingly engage the inside of the closure base rim 140when the lid 116 is closed (FIG. 6).

The closure hinge 120 is molded unitarily together with the closure lid116 and closure base 112 near the top of the base skirt 128 (FIG. 5) soas to accommodate movement of the lid 116 between the open positionexposing the base access passage 148, and the closed position occludingthe body access passage 148.

With reference to FIG. 5, the hinge 120 may be of any suitableconventional or special design. For example, the hinge 120 illustratedin the Figures may be of a conventional snap-action type such asdescribed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,356,017 or 5,642,824, the details ofwhich form no part of the present invention. The hinge 120 could also bea non-snap-action type, including a strap or tether. However,preferably, the hinge 120 is molded unitarily with closure base 112 andlid 116.

A resilient latch member 160 projects downwardly at the front of the lid116 and has an inwardly projecting latch bead 164. As can be seen inFIG. 6, when the lid 116 is closed on the base 112, the laterallyinwardly extending lid latch bead 164 snaps into, and is received in, anaperture 168 in the closure base 112 to secure the lid 116 to the base112. To open the lid 116, the user first removes a tamper-evident band170 described in detail below, and then the user pulls with a thumb orfinger outwardly and upwardly on the bottom of the latch member 160 todisengage the lid latch bead 164 from the aperture 168 in the base 112.Other conventional or special latch designs could be used instead.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure 100 has a tamper-evidentband or member 170 that extends from, and is frangibly connected to, aportion of the closure skirt 128. The tamper-evident member 170 servesto confront the lid latch member 160 such that the latch member may notmove from the closed latch position to the open latch position. Thetamper-evident member 170 may be removed from the closure 100 when thefrangible connections 171 (best seen in FIG. 2) are broken by a user ofthe closure 100, as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The tamper-evident member170 may have indicia for instructing the user of the closure 100 how toseparate the tamper-evident member 170 from the closure 100.

In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated), it will be understood thatthe tamper-evident member 170 may instead be initially connected to theclosure lid 116, and the latch member 160 may instead be provided on theclosure body 112 rather than on the lid 116. Furthermore, thetamper-evident member 170 need not be frangibly connected to the closure100, and may be attached to the closure 100 by adhesive, heat shrinking,secondary molding, heat or vibratory welding, or the like. Further, theclosure 100 need not have any type tamper-evident member 170.

With reference to FIG. 5, closure 100 further includes a utensil 124,which is initially molded integrally therewith to provide a single,unitary, closure article. Utensil 124 includes handle portion 172 andutility portion 176. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, utensil124 is a handled scoop, and utility portion 176 is a scoop portiondefining an open-ended receptacle. However, it is understood that othertypes of utensils could readily be implemented in accordance with otherembodiments of the invention, such as a spoon, ladle, knife, fork,spear, or other structure, particularly those having an elongatedhandle. For example, in an embodiment featuring a fork utensil, theutility portion may include a plurality of fork tines, while in anembodiment featuring a knife utensil, the utility portion may include acutting edge.

Returning to the first illustrated embodiment, and with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6, utility portion 176 defines a recess of 180, and arecessed bottom surface 184. Handle portion 172 is preferably connectedto utility portion 176 at a location that is proximate the opening 180,for reasons described further herein below.

Utensil 124 is initially molded unitarily with the closure base 112, asillustrated in FIGS. 5. Utensil 124 is connected to the closure base 112with short, frangible bridges or connections 185, 187 which can bebroken by a user to manually separate utensil 124 from closure base 112.Preferably, utensil 124 includes the frangible connections 185, 187 toclosure base 112 at two locations so as to provide an attachment to base112 that is stable, but readily separable with manual manipulation.There is one frangible connection or bridge 185 between the closure base112 and the end of utensil handle portion 172. The handle portion 172 isconnected to rim 140 by a thin, frangible web in the form of a frangiblebridge 185 that is defined by a reduced cross-sectional thickness ofmaterial. However, more than one frangible bridge 185 could be providedif desired.

Still referring to FIG. 5, a second frangible connection between utensil124 and closure base 112 is provided at the utility portion 176. Closurebase 112 includes a leveling flange 190 extending laterally from thebase rim 140 for leveling product across the top of the utensil scooprecess 180 of the utility portion after the utensil 124 has beenseparated from the closure base 112 and use to scoop product into itsscoop recess 180. The utility portion 176 is connected to the levelingflange 190 by two frangible webs in the form of spaced-apart bridges 187defined by reduced cross-sectional thicknesses of the material. However,it is understood that a lesser or greater number of bridges, having thesame or different dimensions, could readily be implemented.

Frangible bridges 185 and 187 facilitate the unitary molding of utensil124 with closure 100, and maintain utensil 124 in a desired positionduring initial installation of closure 100 on the container 104, andduring subsequent delivery of the container 104 and closure 100 to auser or other recipient. However, upon application of twisting or othermanual force to utensil 124, such as by an end user of a packagedproduct to which closure 100 is applied, the frangible bridges 185 and187 can be readily broken, thereby releasing utensil 124 from closurebase 112. Once released, utensil 124 can be utilized to remove, stir, orotherwise manipulate the contents of container 104.

The detailed design of the frangible bridges, 185 and 187 including theshapes, number, and arrangement of the bridges 185 and 187, form no partof the broad aspects of the invention as embodied in the closureillustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

In some applications, it may be desirable to provide a foil or laminarseal (not illustrated) across the mouth 108 of the container 104 oracross the interior of the closure base 112. In those applications, theutensil 124 may be connected to the closure base 112 at a locationfurther outwardly relative to container mouth 108 so as to createadditional clearance for such a seal (not illustrated).

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the underside of the lid 116 is exposed to auser when the lid 116 is in the open position. The underside of the lid116 has a raised platform region 198 which slopes to a recessed region194. The raised platform region 198 has a utensil retainer or receivingstructure 202 for releasably receiving, retaining, and storing theutensil 124 in the lid 116 after use. The receiving structure 202 hasspaced-apart, parallel walls 206 extending from the raised platformregion 198 for frictionally retaining a portion of the utensil 124. Oneor both of the walls 206 are configured for undergoing temporary elasticdeformation to permit outward deflection of the wall or walls so as toaccommodate insertion of the utensil handle portion 172 between thewalls so that the walls resiliently engage and retain the lid 116, Whena sufficient force is later applied by a user to pull out the utensil124, the utensil 124 is released from the lid 116 by the walls 206 againtemporarily, elastically deforming or deflecting outwardly. The locationof the retainer 202 on the raised platform region 198 is such that atleast part of the length of the utensil handle portion 172 is spacedaway from the recessed region 194 to accommodate a user's fingerengaging the utensil handle portion 172 located beyond the raisedplatform region 198 so as to facilitate the user grasping the utensilhandle portion 172.

It will be understood that the raised platform region 198 and theutensil retainer 202 may have a variety of geometries and configurationsfor retaining the utensil 124 in the lid 116 such that the handleportion 172 is spaced away from the recessed region 194. For example, inan alternate embodiment (not illustrated), the utensil retainer orreceiving structure 202 may be a peg, spud or catch for frictionallyretaining, or otherwise releasably retaining, the utility portion 176 onthe raised platform region 198, Also, the exterior side of the lid deck152 need not be recessed (as visible in FIG. 1) to follow the contour ofthe raised platform region 198 below the lid deck 152.

In the broadest concept of this aspect of the invention, the utensil 124need not be stored in the lid 116 after use. Rather, the utensil 124could be stored after use on the closure base 112. To that end, theclosure base 112 could be modified to provide a suitable storage region(say, at an inwardly extending region adjacent the rim 140). Thepreviously described raised platform 198, recessed region 194, andretainer 202 could be located at such a region on the closure base 112instead of the lid 116, wherein the utensil 124 could then be retainedafter use in the closure base 112 instead of the lid 116 (notillustrated).

FIGS. 7-41 illustrate a second embodiment of a closure 100A according tothe present invention. With reference to FIGS. 8-9, closure 100Aincludes a base 112A and a lid 116A. The base 112A is joined to the lid116A by a hinge 120A. The closure base 112A initially holds a utensil124A in a manner that permits the utensil 124A to be subsequentlydetached from the base 112A by the user and utilized for stirring aproduct in, or removing of a product from, a container 104A to whichclosure 100A is attached. The illustrated embodiment of the closure 100Ais initially molded with the utensil 124A connected to the closure 100Aby means of frangible bridges in the same manner as explained above forthe first embodiment of the closure 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.

In the second embodiment of the closure 100A, as illustrated in FIGS. 8,27, 35, and 41, the underside of the lid 116A is exposed to a user whenthe lid 116A is in the open position, and the underside of the lid 116Ahas a raised platform 198A that slopes down to a recessed region 194A.The raised platform region 198A has a retainer 202A for receiving andstoring the utensil 124A in the lid 116A. The retainer 202A has offset,or spaced-apart, generally parallel, walls 206A extending from theraised platform region 198A for retaining a portion of the utensil 124A.

As can be seen in FIG. 41, each wall 206A has a projecting portion oroverhanging retention portion 207A for engaging and retaining a portionof the utensil 124A.

One of the walls 206A has a button portion or pressable region 208A forbeing engaged by a finger of the user, as will be discussed in detailhereinafter. When a user forces the utensil 124A between the walls 206A,at least the wall 206A with the pressable region 208A undergoestemporary elastic deformation and deflects so as to accommodateinsertion of a portion of the utensil 124A, and the resiliency of thewall results in the utensil 124A being retained between the two walls206A in the lid 116A. When a user subsequently applies a sufficientforce to the pressable region 208A, the wall with the pressable region208A is temporarily, elastically deformed and deflected outwardly sothat the utensil 124A is released from the lid 116A.

While the pressable region 208A is shown as a curved portion on one ofthe walls 206A, it will be understood that the pressable region 208A mayhave a variety of geometries to accommodate the thumb or finger of auser. Such a pressable region 208A may extend from one or both of thewalls 206A. In an alternate embodiment (not illustrated) the retainer202A could be provided elsewhere on the lid 116A or on the closure base112A instead of on the lid 116A.

FIGS. 42-46 illustrate a third embodiment of a closure 100B according tothe present invention. Closure 100B is similar to closure 100 in thatclosure 100B includes a base 112B and a closing element or lid 116Bjoined to the base 112B by a hinge 120B. However, the closure base 112Bhas a flexible, resilient seal 214B that covers the rim of the base 112Band that engages the lid 116B in the closed position. Referring to FIG.45, the seal 214B has a two concentric, annular, sealing walls 216Bprojecting upwardly for confronting a mating portion of the lid 116B.The seal 214B further has a laterally inwardly extending flexibleplatform 220B that partially extends across the access passage 148B ofthe base 112B. Platform 220B has a slit or aperture 224B for initiallyreceiving and releasably holding a utensil 124B (e.g., the end of thehandle portion of a scoop type utensil 124B as shown in FIG. 44).Aperture 224B permits the utensil 124B to be subsequently detached fromthe seal platform 220B by the user and utilized for removal of productsfrom the container 104B to which closure 100B is attached. FIG. 44 showsthe utensil handle portion 172B inserted and retained by the aperture224B, while the utensil utility portion 176B (e.g., scoop or bowl) restsagainst a product leveler platform or flange 190B.

The flexible, resilient seal 214B is preferably bi-injection molded froma thermoplastic elastomer onto the base 112B, or can otherwise be aseparately molded or formed component made from a suitable material(e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer) and applied to the base 112B (or lid116B). Other materials could be used to form the seal 214B, and the seal214B may be installed or applied to either the lid 116B or the base 112Bby adhesive, secondary injection molding, heat welding, snap-fitengagement, or other means of connection.

FIG. 47 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a closure 100C according toone aspect of the present invention. Closure 100C is similar to closure100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 in that closure 100C includes a base 112Cfor being installed at an opening of a container 104C having an annular,exterior, retention bead or flange 230C. The closure base 112C has askirt 128C with a lower end portion 234C for being located adjacent thecontainer flange 230C when the base 112C is installed at the containeropening. The skirt lower end portion 234C has a first portion 238C withan outer side 240C, an inner side 242C, and a bottom end 244C. The skirtlower end portion 234C further has a second portion 246C with a proximalend 248C, a distal end 250C, and a connecting portion 252C that connectsthe first portion bottom end 244C and the second portion proximal end248C.

When the closure 100C is installed on the container 104C by moving theclosure 100C down over the open end of the container 104C, theconnecting portion 252C accommodates an initial deflection of the secondportion 246C by the container flange 230C toward the first portion innerside 242C. Subsequently, the connecting portion 252C also biases thesecond portion 246C back toward the container 104C (or at leastaccommodates movement of the second portion 246C away from the firstportion inner side 242C toward the container 104C) after the closure100C has been installed, and that movement locates the closure basesecond portion distal end 250C below the container flange 230C toprevent the base 112C from being removed or uninstalled from thecontainer 104C.

Still referring to FIG. 47, in one preferred form, the skirt lower endportion 234C is connected to the remaining portion of the skirt 128C bya frangible connection 256C. The frangible connection 256C is athin-walled portion or reduced-cross-sectional thickness portion of theclosure base 112C to facilitate breaking of the connection 256C andseparation of the skirt lower end portion 234C from the remainingportion of the skirt 128C. If a sufficient upward force is applied tothe portion of the closure base 112C above the frangible connection256C, such as by a user pulling up on the closure base 1120, thefrangible connection 256C is torn apart, sheared, or otherwise brokensuch that the skirt lower end portion 234C remains secured to thecontainer 104C and the remainder of the closure base 112C can be removedfrom the container 104C.

It will be appreciated that, if the removed closure 100C is placed backon the container 104C, then the broken frangible connection 256Cprovides an indication to a subsequent user that the closure 100C mayhave been removed, or at least may have been subjected to tampering.

It will be appreciated that the frangible connection 256C need notextend fully and continuously, circumferentially around the closure base112C, and may instead be comprised of one or more separate, frangibleconnections.

Also, if the closure base 112C is intended to be permanently affixed tothe container 104C, then the skirt 128C need not have any frangibleconnection 256C to the lower end portion 234C.

The inventors have discovered that the closure 100C having a skirt lowerend portion 234C as described herein is especially suitable for use withcontainers 104C that are metal. Metal containers 104C manufactured tothe same design specifications will tend to have slight differences inshape or size—especially if there are different suppliers ormanufacturers producing the containers 104C. Furthermore, the containers104C may be dented, deflected, warped, or otherwise altered from thespecifications during processing, labeling, shipping, and/or storage ofthe containers 104C. The skirt lower end portion 234C with the flexiblesecond portion 246C is particularly useful to compensate for suchvariances between suppliers of metal containers 104C.

FIGS. 48-82 illustrate a fifth embodiment of a closure 100D according tothe present invention. Closure 100D is similar to closure 100 in thatclosure 100D includes a base 112D for being installed at an opening of acontainer 104D. Closure 100D further has a closing element or lid 116Dpivotally connected to the base 112D to accommodate movement between aclosed position occluding an access passage (not visible in FIGS. 48-49)of the closure 100D and an open position exposing the access passage.

The lid 116D has a latch member 160D (FIGS. 49 and 56) that is initiallypartially covered by a tamper-evident chamber 170D described in detailbelow. The lid latch member 160D is pivotally connected to the lid 116Dfor moving between an unlatched position (FIGS. 60 and 61) and a latchedposition engaging the base 112D to secure the lid 116D to the base 112Dto retain the lid 116D in the closed position. Latch member 160D has abead 164D (FIG. 62) for being received in an aperture 168D (FIGS. 56 and62) in the base 112D.

The aperture 168D is defined in the base 112D along the aperture upperend or edge by an overhanging front portion 169D of the base 112D. Whenthe lid latch member bead 164D is received in the aperture 168D, thelatch member bead 164D and the overhanging front portion 169D of thebase are in vertical registration. In this registration configuration,the bead 164D confronts the base overhanging front portion 169D whichfunctions as an “engaging portion” 169D for engaging the latch memberbead 164D to limit and prevent upward movement of the latch bead 164D.However, latch member 160D can be moved to an outwardly pivoted,unlatched position (not illustrated) for permitting the lid 116D to movefrom the closed position to the open position.

The closure 100D further has a flexible, resilient seal 214D located atthe top portion of the base 112D. The seal 214D, which in theillustrated embodiment is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, iscompressed between the lid 116D and base 112D when the lid 116D is inthe closed position and the latch member 160D is in the latched position(FIG. 56). The resiliency of the compressed seal 214D forces the lidlatch member 160D upwardly into tight engagement with the base frontengaging portion 169D at the top of the aperture 168D in the base 112D,and that helps retain the latch member 160D in the latched position byincreasing the friction engagement force between the parts.

Closure 100D also has an optional tamper-evident member 170D that isinitially frangibly connected to part of the rest of the base 112D by aplurality of frangible connections 171D (FIGS. 73 and 48).Tamper-evident member 170D confronts at least a portion of the latchmember 160D when the latch member 160D is initially in the latchedposition (FIGS. 48, 50, and 51) to prevent the latch member 160D frombeing moved by a user from the latched position to the unlatchedposition. When a user exerts a sufficient bending or pulling force onthe tamper-evident member 170D, the tamper-evident member frangibleconnections 171D are broken, and the tamper-evident member 170D isseparated and can be removed from the closure base 112D by the user.Then the user can move the latch member 160D from the latched position(FIGS. 48-50) to the unlatched position (FIGS. 60 and 61).

It will be appreciated that, in another embodiment (not illustrated),the latch member 160D may have one or more apertures (not illustrated)instead of the bead 164D, and such apertures could receive one or morebeads (not illustrated) located on the closure base 112D in place of thebase aperture 168D.

It will be further appreciated that in an alternative embodiment (notillustrated), the tamper-evident member 170D could be located on the lid116D of the closure 100D instead of on the base 112D while latch member160D could be pivotally connected to the base 112D instead of to the lid116D.

Furthermore, in another embodiment (not illustrated) the closure 100Dneed not have any tamper-evident member 170D at all.

FIGS. 83-85 illustrate another embodiment of a utensil 124E according toone aspect of the present invention. Utensil 124E includes handleportion 172E for being grasped by a user of the utensil 124E, and theutensil 124E has a utility portion 176E for engaging (e.g., stirring orcutting or removing) a product stored within a container (notillustrated in FIGS. 83-85). In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.83-85, utensil 124E is a handled spoon or scoop, and utility portion176E is a scoop portion defining an open-ended receptacle that defines acavity or recess for holding some substance (e.g., some product storedin a container). Handle portion 172E is connected to the utility portion176E by a hinge 270E (FIG. 84). Hinge 270E allows the utensil 124E tohave a stored configuration (FIG. 83) wherein the handle portion 172E ispivoted to a location adjacent the utility portion 176E. Hinge 270Efurther allows the utensil 124E to have a deployed configuration (FIGS.84 and 85) wherein the handle portion 172E is pivoted away from theutility portion 176E. Utensil has a support portion 274E that extendsaway from the utility portion 176E for supporting the handle portion172E when the handle portion 172E is in the deployed configuration. Thesupport portion 274E is visible in FIG. 83, but is hidden from view inFIGS. 84 and 85 by a lateral, longitudinal flange 273E (FIG. 83) alongeach edge of the handle portion 172E. The flanges 273E frictionallyengage the support portion 274E to retain the utensil handle portion172E in the deployed configuration.

The inventors have found that the utensil 124E with a storedconfiguration and a deployed configuration allows for a utensil 124E tobe stored in a suitable container while the utensil is in its storedconfiguration even though the length of the utensil 124E in the deployedconfiguration is larger than the opening of the container.

In a broad concept of one aspect of the invention, the utensil 124E neednot have a hinge 270E connecting the utility portion 176E and the handleportion 172E, and instead the utensil 124E may have other retainingstructures such as pin and slot, offset walls, or other structures forfrictionally or otherwise securing the utility portion 176E and thehandle portion 172E in the deployed configuration. Depending on thearrangement for retaining the utensil 124E in the deployedconfiguration, the portion 274E could be omitted.

The illustrated utensil 124E has the form of a spoon or shallow scoopwith a plurality of vents or holes to prevent or at least minimize airpockets from forming when scooping granular product. Minimization of airpockets ensures that the user obtains an intended volume when scoopingproduct from the container (not illustrated). It will be understood thatother types of utensils could readily be implemented in accordance withother embodiments of the invention, such as a deeper scoop, ladle,knife, fork, spear, or other structure, particularly those having anelongated handle. For example, in an embodiment featuring a fork utensil(not illustrated), the utility portion may include a plurality of forktines, while in an embodiment featuring a knife utensil (notillustrated), the utility portion may include a cutting edge.

FIGS. 86-89 illustrate another embodiment of a utensil 124F according toanother aspect of the present invention for use with a closure 100F fora container 104F. Utensil 124F includes handle portion 172F for beinggrasped by a user of the utensil 124F, and the utensil 124F has a scoopportion 280F for removing a product stored within a container 104F. Thescoop portion 280F has a top part 281F having an open top end 282F andan open bottom end 283F, and a through passage extending from the opentop end 282F to the open bottom end 283F. The scoop portion 280F furtherhas a bottom part 284F connected to top part 280F by a hinge 285F (FIG.88). Bottom part 284F has an open top end 286F (FIGS. 87 and 88) and aclosed bottom end 287F (FIGS. 87 and 89).

FIG. 89 shows a “use” configuration of the utensil 124F in which the toppart 281F and bottom part 284F are engaged so that said top part openbottom end 283F confronts the bottom part open top end 286F. A latchmember 288F extends from the bottom part 284F and defines an aperturefor receiving a bead 289F that extends from the top part 281F.

FIG. 87 shows a “storage” configuration of the utensil 124F in which thetop part 281F and bottom part 284F are moved away from the useconfiguration. The “storage” configuration is also the configuration inwhich the utensil is initially molded in, and as part of, the closure100F using frangible bridges as illustrated in FIG. 86.

The inventors have found that the utensil 124F with such a “storage”configuration and a “use” configuration allows for the utensil 124Fhaving a deep scoop portion 280F to be integrally molded in the storageconfiguration with closure 100F that has a relatively low profile (i.e.,low height)—especially in an alternate embodiment (not illustrated)where the bottom of the closure 100F or top of the container 104Finitially includes a removable liner (i.e., sealing membrane) across theopening below the utensil. As can be seen in FIG. 86, the storageconfiguration of the utensil 124F permits the lid 116F to have a shorterheight, thus reducing the amount of material needed for manufacturingthe closure 100F and also providing a more aesthetically appealingconfiguration.

If desired, after use, the utensil 124F can be opened to the “storage”configuration and stored in the closure body 112F on suitablediametrically opposite support projections (visible in FIG. 86) so as toorient the utensil 90 degrees from the initial, “molded-in” orientationas provided by the manufacturer.

In a broad concept of one aspect of the invention, the utensil 124F neednot have a hinge 285F connecting the top part 281F and bottom part 284F,and instead the utensil 124F may have other latching or retainingstructures (not illustrated) such as pin and slot, offset walls, orother such structures for frictionally, or otherwise, securing the topand bottom parts 281F, 284F together in the use configuration. With suchalternative connecting structures, the utensil 124F may not need to havethe latch member 288F or cooperating bead 289F.

FIGS. 91-99 illustrate another embodiment of a utensil 124G having aninitial storage configuration and a use configuration, and whereinaccording to one aspect of the present invention, the utensil 124G isprovided and used with a closure 100G for a container 104G. Withreference to FIG. 94, the use configuration of the utensil 124G includeshandle portion 172G for being grasped by a user of the utensil 124G, andthe utensil 124G has a scoop portion 280G for engaging (e.g., removing)a product stored within the container 104G. The scoop portion 280Gfunctions analogously to scoop portion 280F discussed above with respectto the storage and use configurations illustrated in FIGS. 86-89. Theutensil 124G is initially molded in its “storage” configuration as partof the closure 100G as described below.

With reference to FIG. 91, closure 100G has a separable peripheral bodyor ring 300G that is connected to the base 112G by a plurality offrangible connections 301G. A conventional or special membrane or liner308G is located beneath the utensil 124G and is sealed to the undersideof the ring 300G—and to the internal periphery of the closure base 112Gbelow, and radially beyond, the ring 300G—so as to occlude the accesspassage of the closure 100G and seal the contents of the container 104G.The location of the liner 308G at the underside of the ring 300G alsoprevents contamination of the utensil 124G by the contents of thecontainer 104G during shipping, storage, or processing of a packagecomprising the closure 100G on the filled container 104G.

A type of such a liner/ring system is described in the U.S. Pat. No.7,721,901. The use of such a liner forms no part of the broad aspects ofthis embodiment of the invention.

As can be seen in FIG. 91, the utensil 124G has an initially-molded,storage configuration wherein the scoop portion 280G is frangiblyconnected to the ring 300G with frangible bridges, such as bridges 302G.Projecting from the ring 300G is a pull loop or tab 304G for beinggrasped by a user of the closure 100G to break the connections 301G(that join the ring 300G to the closure base 112G), and then the usercan pull the loop 304G to separate the ring 300G from the remainingportion of the base 112G and remove the ring 300G (along with thestill-attached utensil 124G and along with a major portion of theunderlying liner 308G which tears away around the exterior of the ring300G.) The utensil 124G could be removed from the ring 300G prior to theremoval of the ring 300G from the closure, or after removal of the ring300 and utensil 124G together from the closure 100G.

In some applications, wherein the liner 308G is employed, the liner 308Gneed not be sealed to the bottom of the ring 300G. In such case, removalof ring 300G (with the attached utensil 124G) enables a user to accessthe outer periphery of the liner 308G to tear or cut away the liner 308Garound its periphery. The liner 308G may be made from a thermoplastic,foil, paper, or composite for sealing the contents in the container andinhibiting removal of the contents of the container 104G until the liner308G is removed, pierced, or otherwise compromised by the user.

It will be understood that the location, number, and shape of thefrangible connections (e.g., the frangible connections 301G between thering 300G and the remaining portion of the closure base 112G, and/or thefrangible connections 302G between the utensil 124G and the ring 300G)may vary from what is depicted in FIGS. 91-99.

FIGS. 100-107 illustrate another embodiment of a closure 100H accordingto an aspect of the present invention. Closure 100H is similar to theaforementioned closure 100C in that closure 100H includes a base 112Hfor being installed at an opening of a container 104H (FIG. 107) havingan exterior flange 230H (FIG. 107). With reference to FIGS. 103 and 107,the closure base 112H has a skirt 128H with a lower end portion 234H forbeing located adjacent the container flange 230H when the base 112H isinstalled on the container 104H. The skirt lower end portion 234H has afirst portion 238H defining an outer side 240H, an inner side 242H, anda bottom end 244H. The skirt lower end portion 234H also has a secondportion 246H that includes a proximal end 248H and a distal end 250H.The skirt lower end portion 234H further includes a connecting portion252H that connects the second portion proximal end 248H and the firstportion bottom end 244H.

When the closure 100H is installed on the container 104H by moving theclosure 100H down over the open end of the container 104H, the skirtconnecting portion 252H accommodates an initial deflection of the secondportion 246H by the container flange 230H toward the skirt first portioninner side 242H. The connecting portion 252H subsequently permitsmovement of the second portion 246H away from the first portion innerside 242H after the closure 100H has been installed to locate theclosure base second portion distal end 250H below the container flange230H to prevent the base 112H from being removed (i.e., uninstalled)from the container 104H.

FIGS. 108-110 illustrate another embodiment of a closure 100I to anotheraspect of the present invention. The closure 100I is similar to closure100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 in that closure 100I includes a base 112Ifor being installed at an opening of a container (not illustrated) and alid 116I hingedly connected to the base 112I. The closure 100I alsoincludes a utensil 124I that is initially frangibly connected to theclosure 100I at a handle portion 172I (FIG. 109) of the utensil 124I.The utensil handle portion 1721 is configured for being grasped by auser of the utensil 124I after the utensil 124I has been separated froma remaining portion of the closure 100I. The utensil 124I has a scoopformed from a first side part 281I and a second side part 284I (FIG.109). The first and second side parts 281I/284I are connected by a hinge285I (FIG. 109), and are rotatable generally along an axis defined bythe handle portion 172I.

FIGS. 108 and 109 show an as-molded, “storage” configuration of theutensil 124I, in which the first side part 281I and the second side part284I are open and connected only by the hinge 285I.

FIGS. 111 and 112 show the movement of the utensil 124I from the“storage” configuration toward, and into, a “use” configuration whereinthe first side part 281I and the second side part 284I are engaged toform a scoop.

The inventors have found that a utensil 124I with such a “storage”configuration and a “use” configuration allows the utensil 124I to havea relatively deep scoop, which can be integrally molded in the “storage”configuration with a closure 100I having an especially low profile(i.e., low height). As can be seen in FIG. 110, the “storage”configuration of the utensil 124I permits the lid 116I to have a shorterheight, thus reducing the amount of material needed for manufacturingthe closure 100I and also providing a more aesthetically appealingconfiguration.

While the illustrated utensil 124I has the form of a deep scoop, it willbe understood that other types of utensils could readily be implementedin accordance with other embodiments of the invention, such as ashallower scoop, ladle, knife, fork, spear, or other structure,particularly those having an elongated handle. For example, in anembodiment featuring a fork utensil (not illustrated), the utilityportion may include a plurality of fork tines, while in an embodimentfeaturing a knife utensil (not illustrated), the utility portion mayinclude a cutting edge.

It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description ofthe invention and from the illustrations thereof that numerousvariations and modifications may be effected without departing from thetrue spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of thisinvention.

For example, it will be appreciated that one broad aspect of theinvention includes a closure with the inventive feature which includes aretainer for releasably retaining a utensil and which further includes araised platform region to accommodate a user's finger engaging a handleportion of the utensil. That feature may be considered to be a separatefeature which may provide utility separately apart from other features.Thus, it is contemplated that this one broad aspect of the invention maybe claimed separately without necessarily being in combination with oneor more of the other features. Alternatively, this one feature may beclaimed in combination with other features disclosed herein.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that another broad aspect of theinvention includes the inventive feature of a closure with a utensilretainer which has a pressable region for being engaged by a finger ofthe user to release the utensil. That feature may be considered to be aseparate feature which may provide utility separately apart from otherfeatures. Thus, it is contemplated that this one broad aspect of theinvention may be claimed separately without necessarily being incombination with one or more of the other features. Alternatively, thisone feature may be claimed in combination with other features disclosedherein.

In addition, it will be appreciated that another broad aspect of theinvention includes the inventive feature of a closure base which has anattachment skirt having a movable portion to accommodate initialdeflection away from a flange of a container or other system duringinstallation of the closure on a system. The movable portionsubsequently moves toward and under the system flange to prevent theclosure from being removed from the system. That feature may beconsidered to be a separate feature which may provide utility separatelyapart from other features. Thus, it is contemplated that this one broadaspect of the invention may be claimed separately without necessarilybeing in combination with one or more of the other features.Alternatively, this one feature may be claimed in combination with otherfeatures disclosed herein.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that another broad aspect of theinvention includes the inventive feature of a utensil having a handleportion and a utility portion, a “stored” configuration where the handleportion is located adjacent the utility portion, and a “use” or“deployed” configuration where the handle portion is connected to theutility portion to extend away from the handle portion. That feature maybe considered to be a separate feature which may provide utilityseparately apart from other features. Thus, it is contemplated that thisone broad aspect of the invention may be claimed separately withoutnecessarily being in combination with one or more of the other features.Alternatively, this one feature may be claimed in combination with otherfeatures disclosed herein.

Additionally, it will be appreciated that another broad aspect of theinvention includes the inventive feature of a closure having a flexible,resilient seal that has an extending flexible platform defining anaperture for retaining a portion of the utensil. That feature may beconsidered to be a separate feature which may provide utility separatelyapart from other features. Thus, it is contemplated that this one broadaspect of the invention may be claimed separately without necessarilybeing in combination with one or more of the other features.Alternatively, this one feature may be claimed in combination with otherfeatures disclosed herein.

In addition, it will be appreciated that another broad aspect of theinvention includes the inventive feature of a closure having a base, alid, a latch member, and a flexible, resilient seal for being compressedbetween a portion of the lid and the base when the latch member is in alatched position so as to increase the opening resistance of the latchsystem. That feature may be considered to be a separate feature whichmay provide utility separately apart from other features. Thus, it iscontemplated that this one broad aspect of the invention may be claimedseparately without necessarily being in combination with one or more ofthe other features. Alternatively, this one feature may be claimed incombination with other features disclosed herein.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that another broad aspect of theinvention includes the inventive feature of a utensil having a handleportion and a scoop portion wherein the scoop portion includes aplurality of parts, and wherein the plurality of parts accommodatearrangement in (1) a “use” configuration where two parts of the utensilscoop portion are confronting, and (2) a “storage” configuration wheretwo parts are moved away from the “use” configuration. That feature maybe considered to be a separate feature which may provide utilityseparately apart from other features. Thus, it is contemplated that thisone broad aspect of the invention may be claimed separately withoutnecessarily being in combination with one or more of the other features.Alternatively, this one feature may be claimed in combination with otherfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A closure for a system that has (1) an opening tothe interior of the system wherein contents may be stored, and (2) anoutwardly projecting flange, said closure comprising: (A) a base (forbeing installed on the system at the system opening, said base having anaccess passage through said base for permitting access to the systeminterior; and (B) a closing element operable on said base between aclosed position for occluding said access passage and an open positionfor permitting communication with said access passage, and wherein saidbase has a skirt for attaching said closure to the system, said skirthaving a lower end portion for being located adjacent the system flangewhen said base is installed at the system opening, said skirt lower endportion having (a) a first portion defining (i) an outer side, (ii) aninner side, and (iii) a bottom end, (b) a second portion having (i) aproximal end, and (ii) a distal end, and (c) a connecting portionconnecting said first portion bottom end and said second portionproximal end to (1) accommodate initial deflection of said secondportion by the system flange toward said first portion inner side duringinstallation of said base on the system, and (2) permit movement of saidsecond portion away from said first portion inner side after said basehas been installed to locate said second portion distal end below thesystem flange to prevent said base from being uninstalled from thesystem.
 2. A closure for a system according to claim 1, wherein theclosure base is arranged such that it can be permanently affixed to thecontainer.
 3. A closure for a system according to claim 1, wherein theskirt lower end portion is permanently connected to the skirt.
 4. Aclosure for a system according to claim 1 wherein the skirt lower endportion is connected to the skirt by an infrangible connection.
 5. Aclosure for a system according to claim 1 wherein said base furthercomprises a utensil frangibly connected thereto.
 6. A closure for asystem according to claim 1 in combination with a container in the formof a metal container.
 7. A closure for a system according to claim 1 incombination with a container in the form of a non-metallic container. 8.A closure for a system according to claim 1 in combination with acontainer that is one of a wide mouth metal container or a compositecontainer,
 9. A closure for a system according to claim 1 in combinationwith a container that has the form of a metal container with amanufacturing tolerance or an irregularity in a top end portion of saidcontainer around a mouth of said container.
 10. A method of installing aclosure on a system that has (1) an opening to the interior of thesystem wherein contents may be stored, and (2) an outwardly projectingflange, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring the system,acquiring the closure, the closure having: (A) a base (for beinginstalled on the system at the system opening, said base having anaccess passage through said base for permitting access to the systeminterior; and (B) a closing element operable on said base between aclosed position for occluding said access passage and an open positionfor permitting communication with said access passage, and wherein saidbase has a skirt for attaching said closure to the system, said skirthaving a lower end portion for being located adjacent the system flangewhen said base is installed at the system opening, said skirt lower endportion having (a) a first portion defining (i) an outer side, (ii) aninner side, and (iii) a bottom end, (b) a second portion having (i) aproximal end, and (ii) a distal end, and (c) a connecting portionconnecting said first portion bottom end and said second portionproximal end to (1) accommodate initial deflection of said secondportion by the system flange toward said first portion inner side duringinstallation of said base on the system, and (2) permit movement of saidsecond portion away from said first portion inner side after said basehas been installed to locate said second portion distal end below thesystem flange to prevent said base from being uninstalled from thesystem; and installing said closure on said system to locate said secondportion distal end below said system flange to prevent said base frombeing uninstalled from said system.